Ditches, boundary stones, &c.
R. "Laon-moo-kaon."
Mandarin civil.
Not allowed to proceed up
Hostile demonstration.
the
Tiver.
Reconciliation.
Night review.
Trucks laden with timber.
14
With regard to the ditches said to exist near Tien-tsin, they say it is not the usual custom to divide their fields in this way, as they use boundary stones; but these ditches exist in places near the river banks, where they irrigate the land by means of them.
August 12th.-Having discovered entrance to the "Laon-moo-kaon," entered the river with two gigs, leaving a gun-boat anchored at the mouth. We were met near the mouth by a Mandarin, with a party of Tartar Cavalry, but were able to get little or no information about the upper part of the river. They were unarmed. The Mandarin told us that he was in command at the mouth of the river, but that his superior officer was a short distance higher up.
That it would be as much as his life is worth to allow us to pass his post, and he begged us not to attempt it.
We told him we wanted water for the ships, and also wished to purchase sheep and vegetables. He was very civil in his manner, but guarded in what he said. There were two men aides-de-camp to the Commander at the Great Wall, who had come down to him on business, and these men appeared rather to watch him.
After conferring with him we said we should sail up a little higher, to see if the water would there be clearer than at the mouth of the river. He begged us not, but we sailed on in spite of him. They rode along the bank; and, on our passing the village, they all seized their arms, matchlocks and bows, and crying out to fight, they rushed behind a breastwork and levelled their pieces, and declared they would fire if we advanced.
We remonstrated, and asked them what they could mean by such threats; we did not wish to hurt them, and did not care about their river, if they were much opposed to our ascending it; they were our friends, and we did not wish to outrage their feelings. The Mandarin said he was full of the most friendly feeling for us, but he would be disgraced if he allowed us to pass after the orders he had received, and he could not risk such a thing by giving way to his affection for us.
We then landed and had tea with him, and were presented with a fan cach. Before leaving, I expressed a wish to see the bow used. He sent for one, and the man seemed to go a long way for it on horseback.
Some remark was made about the time he was absent, to which the Mandarin replied, "He has to go a great distance to fetch it; would it be proper to have warlike implements near, when such dear friends as you are with me." Meanwhile the boat's crew found about 40 or 50 jingalls and spears hidden in the sand close by.
That night heavy guns were fired in the direction of the river and jingalls, and several lights were noticed from the ships. On being asked next day what it meant, the Mandarin answered that his superior had had a review, but that now he was informed what intimate and dear friends were at hand, such a display would not be proper, and therefore we should not hear it again.
Many of the junks in the river were laden with pieces of round fir timber about 6 to 10 feet long, and from 1' 6" to 2 feet diameter. He told us they were for sawing up into planks, but the lengths appeared too short; several pieces were seen laid upon the beach at intervals, as if a boom was being formed. However, they might merely have been floated up thus. (Afterwards found to be for coffins).
350
15
The river opposite the village is about 400 yards wide, with flat low banks, Description of and has a narrow channel of deep water, in which there would be about 10 feet at low water. The water appears, however, gradually to shoal, and an anchorage could be seen about 1 mile above where we landed.
river.
The village at its mouth is composed to a great extent of houses for accommodating discharged cargoes, and it is therefore probable that the river is not navigable for junks higher up. There is a very rapid current.
The mouth of the river is closed by a bar of sand, having over it only 3 feet at low water, and as the tide rises only about 4′9′′ at springs, the river would not be available except for vessels of very light draft, and with a high tide. The country to the S.W. is flooded at high tides, and would appear impracticable Country to the but for the fact of cart-tracks being seen over the sand.
A creek runs in from the sea a little below the river, and a road leads from it towards the N.W., which is protected by an old breastwork and battery for 3 guns.
Great mirage exists all down this coast, which may perhaps give an idea of more water than actually exists.
S.W.
However, the country appears extremely unfit for military operations at Country unfit for military operations. the very best; the shoal nature of the coast, and consequent large surface of land influenced by the tide, must render both landing and marching very difficult.
"Laon-moo-Kaou."
The water of the Laon-moo-kaon, though very thick, settles rapidly with Water good in the application of a little alum, and is very good. With an ebb tide it is perfectly fresh at the mouth.
August 16-Arrived at the "Ching-ho."
The country from the Laon-moo-kaon to this is all flat. Mud plains extend inland to a very great distance; they are covered at high tides. After walking inland for about 3 miles over this mud, a sort of cactus plant is met with, which marks probably the extreme high water boundary; but beyond this no cultivation is seen, and the rows of trees appear as far off as when seen from the beach.
R." Ching-ho."
The mirage, which is constantly very great, prevents me forming a very Mirage. correct idea of distance, or whether the intervening space is water or not. The whole ground looks like a lake, and the dry sand has just the appearance of water. I believe, however, it is occasionally flooded, as is evidenced by the sca-shells and crab-shells, and general appearance of the mud. There is also in places an incrustation of salt, which places the fact of an occasional flooding beyond doubt.
About 9 miles below the Laon-moo-kaon there is a small river, but shallow, having about 8 feet at high water at the mouth, but this lessens higher up. I believe it to be a branch of the Ching-ho. There is no fresh water here, Fresh water defi- as I saw a junk come and anchor, and a cart was driven down from the country with water in it to fill her.
cient.
When there is any wind a heavy surf breaks over the bar at the mouth of "Ching-ho" Bar. the "Ching-ho." At low tide there is from 2' 6" to 4 feet of water over it. The Chinese say there are 9 feet over with high tides.
A north wind makes it shallow, and a south wind makes it deep. Within the bar there is a deepish channel from 8 to 24 feet, though not often above 10 or 12.
ļ
Ditches, boundary stones, &c.
R. "Laon- moo-kaon."
Mandarin civil.
Not allowed to proceed up
Hostile demonstra- tion.
the
Tiver.
Reconciliation.
Night review.
Trucks laden with timber.
14
With regard to the ditches said to exist near Tien-tsin, they say it is not the usual custom to divide their fields in this way, as they use boundary stones; but these ditches exist in places near the river banks, where they irrigate the land by means of them.
August 12th.-Having discovered entrance to the "Laon-moo-kaon," entered the river with two gigs, leaving a gun-boat anchored at the mouth, We were met near the mouth by a Mandarin, with a party of Tartar Cavalry, but were able to get little or no information about the upper part of the river. They were unarmed. The Mandarin told us that he was in command at the mouth of the river, but that his superior officer was a short distance higher up.
That it would be as much as his life is worth to allow us to pass his post, and he begged us not to attempt it.
We told him we wanted water for the ships, and also wished to purchase sheep and vegetables. He was very civil in his manner, but guarded in what he said. There were two men aides-de-camp to the Commander at the Great Wall, who had come down to him on business, and these men appeared rather to watch him.
After conferring with him we said we should sail up a little higher, to see if the water would there be clearer than at the mouth of the river. He begged us not, but we sailed on in spite of him. They rode along the bank; and, on our passing the village, they all seized their arms, matchlocks and bows, and crying out to fight, they rushed behind a breastwork and levelled their pieces, and declared they would fire if we advanced.
We remonstrated, and asked them what they could mean by such threats; we did not wish to hurt them, and did not care about their river, if they were much opposed to our ascending it; they were our friends, and we did not wish to outrage their feelings. The Mandarin said he was full of the most friendly feeling for us, but he would be disgraced if he allowed us to pass after the orders he had received, and he could not risk such a thing by giving way to his affection for us,
We then landed and had tea with him, and were presented with a fan cach. Before leaving, I expressed a wish to see the bow used. He sent for
and the man seemed to go a long way for it on horseback.
one,
Some remark was made about the time he was absent, to which the Mandarin replied, "He has to go a great distance to fetch it; would it be proper to have warlike implements near, when such dear friends as you are with me." Meanwhile the boat's crew found about 40 or 50 jingalls and spears hidden in the sand close by.
That night heavy guns were fired in the direction of the river and jingails, and several lights were noticed from the ships. On being asked next day what it meant, the Mandarin answered that his superior had had a review, but that now he was informed what intimate and dear friends were at hand, such a display would not be proper, and therefore we should not hear it again.
Many of the junks in the river were laden with pieces of round fir timber about 6 to 10 feet long, and from 1' 6" to 2 feet diameter. He told us they were for sawing up into planks, but the lengths appeared too short; several pieces were seen laid upon the beach at intervals, as if a boom was being formed. However, they might merely have been floated up thus. (Afterwards found to be for coffins).
350
15
The river opposite the village is about 400 yards wide, with flat low banks, Description of and has a narrow channel of deep water, in which there would be about 10 feet at low water. The water appears, however, gradually to shoal, and an anchorage could be seen about 1 mile above where we landed.
river.
The village at its mouth is composed to a great extent of houses for accommodating discharged cargoes, and it is therefore probable that the river is not navigable for junks higher up. There is a very rapid current.
The mouth of the river is closed by a bar of sand, having over it only 3 fect at low water, and as the tide rises only about 4′9′′ at springs, the river would not be available except for vessels of very light draft, and with a high tide. The country to the S.W. is flooded at high tides, and would appear impracticable Country to the but for the fact of cart-tracks being seen over the sand.
A creek runs in from the sea a little below the river, and a road leads from it towards the N.W., which is protected by an old breastwork and battery for 3 guns.
Great mirage exists all down this coast, which may perhaps give an idea of more water than actually exists.
S.W.
However, the country appears extremely unfit for military operations at Country unfit for
military operations. the very best; the shoal nature of the coast, and consequent large surface of land influenced by the tide, must render both landing and marching very difficult.
"Laon-moo-Kaou."
The water of the Laon-moo-kaon, though very thick, settles rapidly with Water good in the application of a little alum, and is very good. With an ebb tide it is per- fectly fresh at the mouth.
August 16-Arrived at the "Ching-ho."
The country from the Laon-moo-kaon to this is all flat. Mud plains extend inland to a very great distance; they are covered at high tides. After walking inland for about 3 miles over this mud, a sort of cactus plant is met with, which marks probably the extreme high water boundary; but beyond this no cultivation is seen, and the rows of trees appear as far off as when seen from the beach.
R." Ching-ho."
The mirage, which is constantly very great, prevents me forming a very Mirage. correct idea of distance, or whether the intervening space is water or not. The whole ground looks like a lake, and the dry sand has just the appearance of water. I believe, however, it is occasionally flooded, as is evidenced by the sca- shells and crab-shells, and general appearance of the mud. There is also in places an incrustation of salt, which places the fact of an occasional flooding beyond doubt.
About 9 miles below the Laon-moo-kaon there is a small river, but shallow, having about 8 feet at high water at the mouth, but this lessens higher up. I believe it to be a branch of the Ching-ho. There is no fresh water here, Fresh water defi- as I saw a junk come and anchor, and a cart was driven down from the country with water in it to fill her.
cient.
When there is any wind a heavy surf breaks over the bar at the mouth of "Ching-ho" Bar. the "Ching-ho." At low tide there is from 2' 6" to 4 feet of water over it. The Chinese say there are 9 feet over with high tides.
A north wind makes it shallow, and a south wind makes it deep. Within the bar there is a deepish channel from 8 to 24 feet, though not often above 10 or 12.
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